Vintage Horse-Drawn Conveyances

By James N. Boblenz
Published on October 5, 2009
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A fancy two-person buggy Roger uses in parades, owned by the Higgins family, Meeker, Ohio. Manufactured by Columbus (Ohio) Buggy Co., it is one of his first acquisitions.
A fancy two-person buggy Roger uses in parades, owned by the Higgins family, Meeker, Ohio. Manufactured by Columbus (Ohio) Buggy Co., it is one of his first acquisitions.
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This World War I supply wagon has been converted to use as a chuck wagon. Note the water barrel attached to the side.
This World War I supply wagon has been converted to use as a chuck wagon. Note the water barrel attached to the side.
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This unusual buckboard (manufactured by Shane-Unfler, North Baltimore, Ohio) can be used for general hauling or to transport passengers. It has positions for two seats.
This unusual buckboard (manufactured by Shane-Unfler, North Baltimore, Ohio) can be used for general hauling or to transport passengers. It has positions for two seats.
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Roger Higgins Sr.’s favorite buggy: finished as originally furnished.
Roger Higgins Sr.’s favorite buggy: finished as originally furnished.
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Front of the supply wagon showing a sheepskin used to cushion the seat. A water barrel has been attached to one side, a pantry to the other.
Front of the supply wagon showing a sheepskin used to cushion the seat. A water barrel has been attached to one side, a pantry to the other.
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The buggy’s storage compartment.
The buggy’s storage compartment.
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An example of staggered spokes, thought to give the wheel added support. Note also the step mounted inside the wheel on the front axle.
An example of staggered spokes, thought to give the wheel added support. Note also the step mounted inside the wheel on the front axle.
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As comparison to the staggered-spoked wheel, spokes set in a straight-line arrangement.
As comparison to the staggered-spoked wheel, spokes set in a straight-line arrangement.
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The hitch wagon has a heavy-duty fifth wheel allowing the driver to make a sharp turn without risking loss of the load.
The hitch wagon has a heavy-duty fifth wheel allowing the driver to make a sharp turn without risking loss of the load.
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Heavy leaf springs run parallel under the rear axle on either side with a heavy-duty spring mounted transversely to help absorb weight.
Heavy leaf springs run parallel under the rear axle on either side with a heavy-duty spring mounted transversely to help absorb weight.
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A heavy-duty hitch wagon capable of hauling up to 12 tons of cargo.
A heavy-duty hitch wagon capable of hauling up to 12 tons of cargo.
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Manufactured by Cook Carriage Co., Bloomville, Ohio, this two-seater has high wheels and double springs for a softer ride.
Manufactured by Cook Carriage Co., Bloomville, Ohio, this two-seater has high wheels and double springs for a softer ride.
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A high-side cargo wagon manufactured by J.H. Frey Co., Tiffin, Ohio, used to haul livestock or grain.
A high-side cargo wagon manufactured by J.H. Frey Co., Tiffin, Ohio, used to haul livestock or grain.

Wagons, buggies, surreys & buckboards: Those are the pride and joy of the Higgins family of Meeker, Ohio. Theirs is a fascination with modes of transportation common in the days before Henry Ford put the automobile within the grasp of nearly every family in America. They find and restore vintage horse-drawn conveyances. Rarely will you find a finer collection of such pieces.

Roger Higgins Sr. has always been interested in agricultural items. However, he decided early on that he would not become a collector and restorer of antique farm tractors. Instead, he went further back in time. Long interested in horses and horse-drawn equipment, he focused on that, with one qualifier: He wanted to be able to use any piece of equipment he bought. And that led to restoring early farm wagons.

Creating a chuck wagon

One of his first acquisitions after starting a collection in 1971 was a World War I supply wagon. Put on an auction by the Defense Supply Center, Columbus, Ohio, the wagon was purchased by Ohio farmer Delbert Rush, who stored it high and dry in his haymow. More than 30 years ago, Roger learned of the wagon and began a campaign to persuade Rush to sell. Eventually, he did.

The wagon was in “quite decent” condition, Roger recalls, but needed a lot of tender loving care. He put new running gear under the wagon box and made other modifications. Later, he converted it to a chuck wagon and used it on the Ohio Wagon Train Club’s annual drive through northeast Ohio. He mounted a water barrel on one side and a pantry on the other. Then he and his wife, Darlene, and son, Roger Jr., loaded up their team of Belgians and their wagon joined the train.

Roger and his son are members of the Ohio Wagon Train Club of Holmes County. They also belong to the Black Swamp Driving Club and have traveled extensively through Ohio and to the Horse Park near Lexington, Ky. (See Don Voelker’s article in Farm Collector, May 2008.) Father and son have joined the groups during displays at county fairs, festivals and other events, and regularly use their Arabians to pull vintage wagons and surreys.

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